Keith Lusher 08.07.26
Striped bass fishing is officially off-limits in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries through the end of August.
The annual shutdown is designed to protect the Chesapeake Bay’s resident striped bass population during the hottest part of the summer, when fish released after being caught are much less likely to survive.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) prohibits anglers from targeting striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries through Aug. 31. Anyone caught intentionally fishing for striped bass during the closure could face fines of up to $2,000.
The closure was first introduced in 2020 but was moved to August beginning with the 2026 season. State biologists say the timing better protects younger resident striped bass during periods of high water and air temperatures.
According to DNR, hot summer conditions place significant stress on striped bass, increasing the chances they will die even after being released. Recent research has also pointed to poor spawning success caused by environmental conditions, including warm winters and reduced river flows, adding more pressure to the population.
One of the biggest concerns is “dead discards,” which refers to fish that die after being caught and released. The most recent Chesapeake Bay stock assessment found that recreational dead discards accounted for 21% of all fishing-related striped bass deaths. Recreational harvest made up 44%, commercial harvest accounted for 31%, and commercial dead discards represented the remaining 4%.
In addition to the August closure, Maryland now requires anglers to use circle hooks when targeting striped bass during the open season. The agency also publishes a Striped Bass Summer Fishing Advisory Forecast that warns anglers when conditions are especially dangerous for catch-and-release fishing. DNR recommends avoiding striped bass fishing whenever air temperatures climb above 95 degrees.
Rather than staying off the water, state officials are encouraging anglers to target invasive species throughout August.
Blue catfish and Chesapeake Channa, better known as northern snakehead, remain open year-round and have no bag or size limits in Maryland. Harvesting those fish helps reduce pressure on native species while removing two invasive predators from the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.
The recreational striped bass season will reopen Sept. 1 and run through Dec. 5. During that period, anglers may keep one striped bass per day measuring between 19 and 24 inches.
